JURORS STATEMENT

John Fix

In addition to being represented nationally and internationally in public and private collections, is a Professor Emeritus at Towson University in Baltimore, MD where he headed the Jewelry Department from 1967-2000. In 1981-82, he participated in a Fulbright International Teacher Exchange program. He was selected, in 2001 and 2007, for the Individual Artist Award by the Maryland State Arts Council and in 2006, received the NICHE magazine Professional Finalist Award for hollowware.

Recently, I heard a radio comment about the revival of interest in knitting, even among teenagers. It seems that many contemporary Americans want and need to use their hands to create something personal and meaningful. In this age of technology and instant everything, I am encouraged to see artists and craftsmen who have the persistence to learn and develop the skills and patience to express their ideas in metal and enamel. The majority of artists represented here are using traditional gold and silversmithing techniques and tools; however, some have incorporated digital technology as a design or production aid. This is proof of a dynamic, contemporary American crafts movement that values tradition but accepts change.
The Washington Guild of Goldsmiths provides great benefits to its members by encouraging continuing education through workshops and a supportive community which encourages the next generation to continue developing skills and ideas. The biennial provides a venue to showcase the diverse talents of its members and to educate the public. I was pleased to be part of the process. It was important to be able to interact physically with real work and not just view images on a screen. Although the scribes may have developed writer’s cramps, it was great to realize that exhibitors were getting some feedback about our opinions as jurors and, hopefully, they will take advantage of these observations as an educational opportunity. I want to thank the committee and volunteers for their organization and help in making a smooth and comfortable review process. Finally, it was reassuring to see the overall high level of craftsmanship and the variety of techniques, styles, and ideas; all of which, when combined, have made for an engaging exhibition.

James Meyer

is a Professor Emeritus at Virginia Commonwealth University where he was head of the Metal and Jewelry Program. His work has been published and acknowledged by fellowships and grants. Professor Meyer’s work is included in private and public collections throughout the world. In the past two years, he taught at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina and University of Georgia Studies Abroad Program in Cortona, Italy. His most recent solo exhibition at Quirk Gallery in Richmond, VA was a great success. In the course of his career, Professor Meyer worked as an artist, juror, consultant, curator, author, lecturer and conference co-coordinator.

I wish to express my gratitude to the Washington Guild of Goldsmiths for asking me to be a part of the jury process for the Biennial Exhibition. It was enlightening to see a cross section of what is currently being created in our field.
My criteria for inclusion started with the clarity of intent. Was the artist trying to present a beautiful design? What was the artist trying to say through a visual language? Was there a strong conceptual basis for the object’s existence?

Secondly, I was looking at design considerations. I sometimes feel that the current emphasis on ideation and concept, have overshadowed the basic design principles of harmony, line, texture, color palette, etc… So the question became, how well does the design support the concept?

I look at how well was the object in question crafted. Here, I was not looking for craftsmanship as an ultimate objective. I was looking for that delicate balance where objects are appropriately crafted in support of concept.

Most importantly, I was looking for the “thumbprint” of the artist, that unique quality that sets the work apart and reflects the individual. Those objects that most clearly met these criteria, earned my highest marks.

My thanks to all of the artists who participated

PRESIDENTS LETTER

Sherry Terao

Once every two years, the artist members of the Washington Guild of Goldsmiths offer their newest innovations in jewelry, sculpture, flatware, hollowware and whimsy to be juried by highly acclaimed artists. From this collection, the jury selects the finest work to be displayed and offered for sale in the biennial WGG METALWORK SHOW.

It is with great excitement that the Guild presents its 14th Biennial Juried Show and Sale. The marvelous exhibit demonstrates the broad range of talent and wonderful techniques mastered by our membership. The Guild has a rich history of successes. The bar is set very high, but METALWORK 2008 sets it even higher. Our members have done it again!

The Guild is truly fortunate to have esteemed artists Professors Emeritus, John T. Fix and C. James Meyer as our jurors for METALWORK 2008. Professors Fix and Meyer were impressed by the quality of the WGG submissions and selected the best of the best as WGG award winners. METALWORK 2008 is an exciting and inspiring body of work, demonstrating how techniques and materials combine into visual symphonies of art. The jurors were pleased with the high level of craftsmanship, unusual use of materials and textures and some magical connections. Thanks so very much to the jurors for their instructive and constructive feedback provided to each of the WGG participating artists.

The Guild is, among other things, an educational organization, offering many excellent workshops on all aspects of techniques, design and presentation useful to metalsmiths of all levels of experience from student to professional. All, who are interested in working with metals, are welcome. Information is shared within our community through our quarterly newsletters, our website (www.washingtonguildofgoldsmiths.com) and meetings. There is always something new to be learned, regardless of skill level.

The extensive efforts necessary to prepare and present METALWORK 2008 has been completed by our Show Committee, a very dedicated and talented crew of volunteers, under the direction of WGG Vice President Mia Schulman. A very special and heartfelt thanks to each of those volunteers: Sue Garten, John Garten, Nella Fischer, Vivian Wong, Pat Perito, Kathleen Baker, Marla Rudnick, Genie Shuller, Jan Long, Winifred Anthony, Mimi Harris, Nancy DeMulder, Ron Suddendorf, Ursula McKinney, Jan Maddox, Michalle Baird, and, of course, Mia Schulman. Special thanks to Michael Schwartz for providing space in his studio for the jury process. Nick Barnes, Exhibit Designer Extraordinaire deserves our deepest appreciation. Thanks to the Waverly Street Gallery for hosting us, and all of those who come to view our presentation.

Sherry Terao,
President Washington Guild of Goldsmiths